Can small states influence EU foreign

and security policy?

Maria StrömvikLund University

Reykjavik 2014-06-26

What is EU foreign policy about?

What is EU foreign policy about?

• Collectively addressing questions relating to peace and security in other parts of the world

• All kinds of foreign policy instruments: statements, continous diplomacy, taking part in peace negotiations, political dialogues, economic and financial carrots and sticks, civilian and military peace support operations

• Collectively addressing questions relating to peace and security in other parts of the world

• All kinds of foreign policy instruments: statements, continous diplomacy, taking part in peace negotiations, political dialogues, economic and financial carrots and sticks, civilian and military peace support operations

Is EU foreign policy different?

Is EU foreign policy different?

• Compared to other EU policy areas, yes!

• No involvement from the European Parliament

• No involvement from the court of justice

• Very little involvement from the Commission

• Compared to other EU policy areas, yes!

• No involvement from the European Parliament

• No involvement from the court of justice

• Very little involvement from the Commission

Let's draw an organigram!

Let's draw an organigram!

Main CFSP bodies

European Council

Council (FAC)

COREPER II

PSC / COPS

EUMC CivCom

HR

EEAS Commission

SatCen EU-ISS EDA

"It's all France and UK"

"It's all France and UK"

• We all know which two invented the EU's security and defence policy

• We all know which two have a substantial capacity to provide troops and equipment

• We all know which two have large enough foreign and defence ministries to think not only for themselves but also for the EU

• We all know which two invented the EU's security and defence policy

• We all know which two have a substantial capacity to provide troops and equipment

• We all know which two have large enough foreign and defence ministries to think not only for themselves but also for the EU

If we accept...

If we accept...

• That the nature of the policy process and the political institutions matter...

• That the day-to-day policy process may differ a lot from big history-making decisions...

• That the policy process may be very different in different policy areas...

• Then, why would small states not be able to make a difference?

• That the nature of the policy process and the political institutions matter...

• That the day-to-day policy process may differ a lot from big history-making decisions...

• That the policy process may be very different in different policy areas...

• Then, why would small states not be able to make a difference?

What does it take?

What does it take?

• Commitment to EU policies

• Formal and informal networks

• Politically relevant resources

• Ability to justify, explain, and persuade others

• Commitment to EU policies

• Formal and informal networks

• Politically relevant resources

• Ability to justify, explain, and persuade others

Commitment

Commitment

• A vision about what is needed

• Discourse: credibility and resolve, forerunner reputation

• Prestige

• Previous track-record (history of consistency)

• A vision about what is needed

• Discourse: credibility and resolve, forerunner reputation

• Prestige

• Previous track-record (history of consistency)

NetworksNetworks

• Coalition-building skills

• Willingness to share information

• Pooling of resources

• Ability to "plant" ideas

• Coalition-building skills

• Willingness to share information

• Pooling of resources

• Ability to "plant" ideas

ResourcesResources

• Knowledge of policy content (reputation and expertise)

• Knowledge of policy process (procedures) and capacity to exploit it

• Physical resources such as personnel, equipment and funding

• Knowledge of policy content (reputation and expertise)

• Knowledge of policy process (procedures) and capacity to exploit it

• Physical resources such as personnel, equipment and funding

Deliberation

Deliberation

• References to external bodies and norms

• Consistent language (and actions)

• Leadership role

• References to EU goals and visions

• Negotiators are credible and respected

• References to external bodies and norms

• Consistent language (and actions)

• Leadership role

• References to EU goals and visions

• Negotiators are credible and respected

Is fp different?

Is fp different?• Fewer actors involved and fewer actors who

show interest and commitment (many small states have vague own foreign policies, while all have strong views on labour legislation)

• MS are allowed to directly propose new activities

• Foreign policy is often demand driven - constant and continuous opportunities to influence policy

• Fewer actors involved and fewer actors who show interest and commitment (many small states have vague own foreign policies, while all have strong views on labour legislation)

• MS are allowed to directly propose new activities

• Foreign policy is often demand driven - constant and continuous opportunities to influence policy

Some examples

Some examples

• EU positions on WMD in 2003

• "Civilian battle groups" (civilian response teams)

• Operation Artémis

• Aceh Monitoring Mission

• EU positions on WMD in 2003

• "Civilian battle groups" (civilian response teams)

• Operation Artémis

• Aceh Monitoring Mission

Compared to NATO?

Compared to NATO?

• Number of large actors (one in NATO, three or more in EU) - does this make a difference?

• Issue linkage (defence in NATO, "everything" in EU) - does this make a difference?

• Number of large actors (one in NATO, three or more in EU) - does this make a difference?

• Issue linkage (defence in NATO, "everything" in EU) - does this make a difference?